Connolly's double could be welcome present for Pardew

Crewe Alexandra 0 West Ham United 3

Alan Pardew waits in the wings, but West Ham again made a compelling case last night for the Upton Park board to persuade Trevor Brooking to swap the pundit's armchair for the managerial hot seat.

Playing their first-ever League fixture against Crewe, who were two divisions behind them last May, West Ham recorded their fourth consecutive win under their reluctant caretaker.

A brace of goals by David Connolly, the Republic of Ireland striker's sixth and seventh since arriving from Wimbledon during the summer, broke Crewe before the first half had reached its midway point.

A third goal in 10 minutes, the former Tottenham winger Matthew Etherington's first for the club, put West Ham out of sight. Pardew, who may even be installed today after resigning his post at Reading last week, will inherit a side that looks eminently capable of returning to the top flight at the first attempt.

Brooking, asked whether he would still be in charge against Gillingham on Saturday, was beset by uncertainty. In the space of one sentence, his reply ranged from "yes'' to "no'' via "maybe'' and "I don't know''.

The former England mid-fielder, who also presided over two wins and a draw at the end of last season, described the performance as "excellent'', adding: "It was terrific stuff in the first half-hour. I'm pleased because it's my first win by more than one goal as caretaker.''

The early signs suggested, wrongly, a close contest. True, Christian Dailly would have put West Ham ahead after nine minutes but for Ben Rix's goalline clearance. But Dario Gradi's team responded with a Steve Jones shot which David James did well to block with his legs.

Connolly scored the first after 16 minutes, intercepting Stephen Foster's backpass and rounding both the goalkeeper and two defenders. "It was an awful first goal,'' Gradi said. "You could see it coming as soon as Foster started dithering. It deflated everybody.''

Four minutes later, West Ham received a generous assist from, ironically, a man called Ince. Clayton of that ilk, the Crewe goalkeeper, spilled Wayne Quinn's free-kick and Connolly converted the rebound. "Another poor goal,'' Gradi sighed. But Ince was blameless when Etherington completed the scoring. Taking a headed pass from Dailly on the volley, his 18-yard shot would have defeated most keepers.

Crewe, to their credit, started the second half as if they believed they could claw back the deficit. Dean Ashton chipped over after turning his marker in exquisite style, and also forced a sprawling stop from James with a fierce shot on the run. The England keeper was grateful, too, for Dailly's goalline intervention after he dropped a Rix centre.

While Crewe had little choice other than to try to make a game of it, the quality of their approach play offered consolation for their fans and drew praise from Brooking. With a modicum of West Ham's ruthlessness, they should survive comfortably back in the First Division.

Crewe Alexandra (4-4-2): Ince; Wright, Walker, Foster, Tonkin; Lunt, Cochrane (Sorvell, 77), Brammer, Rix; Jones (Edwards, 73), Ashton. Substitutes not used: Varney, McCreedy, Banole (gk).

West Ham United (4-4-2): James; Repka, Pearce, Dailly; Quinn (Kilgallon, 27); Alexandersson (Noble, 86), Horlock, Lee; Etherington (Ferdinand, 80); Connolly, Defoe. Substitutes not used: Mellor, Bywater (gk).

Referee: A Butler (Sutton-In-Ashfield).